How do i know if i owe taxes this year (2024)

FAQs

How do i know if i owe taxes this year? ›

Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.

If you're unsure whether you owe money to the IRS, you can view your tax account information on IRS.gov.

If your personal or financial circ*mstances have changed, you may end up owing taxes to the IRS when you usually get a refund. Common reasons include underpaying quarterly taxes if you're self-employed or not updating your withholding as a W-2 employee.

If you claimed 0 and still owe taxes, chances are you added “married” to your W4 form. When you claim 0 in allowances, it seems as if you are the only one who earns and that your spouse does not. Then, when both of you earn, and the amount reaches the 25% tax bracket, the amount of tax sent is not enough.

Most U.S. citizens or permanent residents who work in the U.S. have to file a tax return. Generally, you need to file if: Your gross income is over the filing requirement. You have over $400 in net earnings from self-employment (side jobs or other independent work)

The IRS sends notices to advise of outstanding balances and changes to your personal tax account. If you received a notice, it is important to read it very carefully and to keep a record of it to refer to when addressing your notice. You'll need to determine if you agree that you owe the balance.

What is the Phone Number to Find Out the Taxes You Owe? Individual taxpayers may call 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Taxpayers representing a business may call 1-800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

“The best strategy is breaking even, owing the IRS an amount you can easily pay, or getting a small refund,” Clare J. Fazackerley, CPA, CFP, told Finance Buzz. “You don't want to owe more than $1,000 because you'll have an underpayment penalty of 5% interest, which is more than you can make investing the money.

If you got a raise at work or started a new job with a higher salary, you could fall into a higher income tax bracket, thereby increasing your tax bill. Likewise, if you made extra income from a side gig, you'll have to pay taxes on that extra cash. "If you make more income, you're going to owe money," Steber said.

The most common reason why taxpayers end up owing money to the IRS is because they did not have enough money taken out of their paychecks throughout the year, according to tax experts. When employees first start a job, they fill out a W-4 form, which determines how much money is withheld from their paychecks for taxes.

Is it better to claim 1 or 0? ›

By placing a “0” on line 5, you are indicating that you want the most amount of tax taken out of your pay each pay period. If you wish to claim 1 for yourself instead, then less tax is taken out of your pay each pay period.

That includes withholding too little on your W-4, your income changing, contributions to your FSA or HSA changing, or withdrawing from your retirement account. Here's a look at some events that could leave you without a refund.

Claiming 0 on Your Taxes

If your goal is to receive a larger tax refund, then it will be your best option to claim 0. Typically, those who opt for 0 want a lump sum to use as they wish, like: Pay bills.

So as long as you earned income, there is no minimum to file taxes in California. It is a good idea to talk with a tax professional to determine your filing status and whether you are required to file or could benefit from doing so anyway.

If you qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, you can receive a refund even if your tax is $0. To claim the credits, you have to file your 1040 and other tax forms.

In a nutshell, over-withholding means you'll get a refund at tax time. Under-withholding means you'll owe.

If you earn less than the standard deduction for your filing status, you likely don't need to file a tax return. Even if you don't meet the filing threshold, you may still have to file taxes if you have other types of income.